Bill Tieleman is one of BC's best known communicators, political commentators and strategists.
Bill writes a politics column Tuesdays in 24 Hours newspaper and The Tyee online magazine.
Bill has been Communications Director in the B.C. Premier's Office and at the BC Federation of Labour.
Bill owns West Star Communications, a consulting firm providing strategy and communication services for labour, business, non-profits and government.

Saturday, January 08, 2011

87 journalists killed in 2010 for reporting the truth in their countries - support Canadians Journalists for Free Expression

Bill Tieleman surveys damage after his office is broken into and trashed - December 3, 2007 - Rob Kruyt photo

﻿﻿In December of 2007 I discovered what happens when people are very angry with what you report as a journalist.My office was broken into and trashed on the weekend of December 1-2, 2007 - with an unmistakeable calling card left identifying my lengthy coverage of the Basi-Virk/BC Legislature Raid case as the reason for the violent intrusion.

A fictional book titled The Raid that was ostensibly about the Basi-Virk case was carefully removed from my desk and placed on top of broken acoustic tiles five feet away - it was impossible that it could have gotten there without someone deliberately setting it there.The incident was shocking and meant to intimidate my family and I. It didn't but it was a reminder of how little respect there is for reporting. The Vancouver Police promptly investigated but no clues or security camera footage was available to lead to an arrest.In April of 2008 I got an even stronger reminder that what you write can have consequences - death threats.

A 24 hours column I had written suggesting rather that boycotting the Beijing Olympic Games over abuse of human rights perhaps people should simply boycott China itself and its many products brought two death threats from the same source - later tracked down by Vancouver Police to an email address in China.

Outrageously and regrettably, Chinese authorities do not cooperate with other police forces to investigate such crimes originating within their borders. One of the biggest authoritarian police states simply lets its citizens threaten individuals without consequence. No further threats were received, however.

I state all this as an introduction to this next item - the very sad news that in 2010 a shocking 87 journalists were killed for reporting the truth in their countries.

I believe it is the duty of all journalists to publicize these awful crimes wherever possible - and to call on authorities in every country to do far more to protect those whose job it is to inform fellow citizens.

The relatively minor threats and attacks I have been subject to are nothing compared to those of others - including brave journalists in this country and city - some of whom have given their lives simply for telling the truth.

Below is the full news release from Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. You can donate to their work and you can also to other organizations that protect human rights, such as Amnesty International.

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CJFE reports that 87 journalists were killed worldwide in 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Toronto - Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) recorded the killings of 87 journalists in 2010 as journalists around the world continue to face great danger while carrying out their work. Three countries bore the brunt of the killings – Pakistan (14), Mexico (13) and Honduras (10) which accounts for 43% of journalists murdered in 2010. The governments of all three countries have failed utterly to protect the safety of journalists. The countries also share the parallel problem of impunity – killers of journalists are not being brought to justice.The 87 journalists killed this year is a decrease from the 101 journalists killed in 2009, but that figure included the tragic massacre of 32 journalists on November 23 in the Philippines – the most journalists ever killed in one day. “On the surface – the fact that 14 fewer journalists were killed this year than last year is good news,” says CJFE President Arnold Amber. “But quite obviously many journalists live with this constant threat just for doing their jobs.”Although the image of a journalist being caught in the crossfire of conflict is a common one – the reality for most of the 87 journalists killed this year, as in other years, is that they were deliberately targeted. And many of them had reported receiving death threats because of the type of investigative stories they were covering in the weeks or months before their murders.The ways in which journalists have been killed are various and paint a chilling picture of the dangers journalists face. Turkish journalist Metin Alataş appears to have been forced to commit suicide (April 4); Mexican journalist Marco Aurelio Martínez Tijerina was kidnapped on July 9 and found dead July 10 with at least one bullet to the head and signs of torture; Military officers in the Democratic Republic of Congo killed journalist Patient Chebeya Bankome at his home (April 5); and journalists Pervez Khan and Abdul Wahab were killed by a suicide bomber in Pakistan (December 6). In one tragic and preventable case, Yemen journalist Mohammed Shu'i Al-Rabu'i, was killed on February 13, by four or five gunmen who had been arrested after attacking him a few months earlier but were released before charges were brought. Security Chief Abdelrazeq Az-Zareq said that he took "full responsibility" for their release at the end of 2009. Many journalists are targeted either at their place of work or at their home – and there are many reports of police or military involvement. In Mexico, journalists are targeted by drug traffickers, police and members of the army. Mexican president Calderon’s move to intensify drug enforcement has seen increased violence and made reporting significantly more dangerous, causing many journalists to flee the country. Also, of great concern is the new trend in Pakistan of suicide bombings of journalists. Six journalists died from bombings; the other eight were shot in various attacks. In a Dec. 6 suicide bombing in which journalists were killed, the journalists were covering an anti-terrorism strategy discussion at a council meeting in the northwest Pakistani border town of Ghalanai. While local journalists continue to face the greatest danger in carrying out their work, 2010 did see several attacks and killings of foreign journalists working abroad. These included British journalist Rupert Hamer in Afghanistan; Tongalese journalist Stanislas Ocloo in Angola; Italian journalist Fabio Polenghi in Thailand; Turkish journalist Cevdet Kılıçlar in international waters near Israel; and American journalist James P. Hunter in Afghanistan.Kidnappings of journalists, local and foreign continue to be a major problem especially in Mexico, Pakistan, Nigeria, Somalia and other nations. Canadian journalist Khadija Abdul Qahaar, also known as Beverly Giesbrecht, was abducted in Pakistan on Nov. 11, 2008. She remains missing but there were disturbing reports in November that she may have died; these reports have not been confirmed.“In releasing this report, CJFE hopes to draw attention to the risks that journalists face around the world,” Amber stated. “Our organization is calling on Canadians and the international community to work together to protect the rights of journalists and to end the tragic culture of impunity which allows most murders of journalists to go unpunished.”CJFE records the number of journalists that are killed or targeted in the line of duty because of their reporting or affiliation with a news organization. CJFE compiles its statistics from the reports of the more than 90 member groups that make up the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX). The IFEX Clearinghouse which gathers and disseminates information from the network is managed by CJFE and based in Toronto.Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) is an association of more than 300 journalists, editors, publishers, producers, students and others who work to promote and defend free expression and press freedom in Canada and abroad. www.cjfe.org.

19 comments:

Solange
said...

Bill, this is such a critical reminder. Your situation is one of the most alarming though in context. If something happens to a journalist here via another country, what recourse do you or others have for justice?

Readers might not take time out of their self indulgent days to contemplate this, but it will still occur and the federal government of Canada should have the balls to put its people before trade!

Our global news is often spun from a mere handful of well funded international sources with very special interests. Getting to the heart of local crime and corruption, and exposing it, is the work of dedicated journalists like you, Bill. You have my full support and thanks for NEVER giving up.

I encourage everyone to try to financially support the many who are providing us with their excellent research - donate to their blogs.

Many comments lately both on MSM and blog sites have engaged in denigrating either bloggers or the MSM for their bias.

I suggest we all focus sharply on the truth - the facts - and show our support to ALL who report injustices. We don't need to agree on everything, but we need to set aside petty squabbles, and recognize the amazing and courageous work being done both on and off the net.

I admire every effort to hold accountable those who are destroying our environment, our health and education systems, by investigating our lawyers and police - OUR POLITICIANS - and telling the truth.

Many thanks for the kind words here - my hero in town is Kim Bolan of the Vancouver Sun, who has faced very serious threats for many years over her reporting on crime and the Air India bombing but has never backed down.

Bill, I have wondered about Kim's safety so thankyou for mentioning. I wasnt even thinking about Air India, but her coverage of the gang wars. It takes balls to do what you guys do, and thats why people like you both are my heros!

Additionally with a government that has ties to "not noticing" the activities going on in the casinos under their watch and with the police claiming ties to organized crime during the legislature raids...

I hope you are not trying to send a discreet message to anyone. Another discreet message from me - is that we will NOT tolerate threats to our journalists in BC.

I have watched different programs, by journalists. I literally cringe, I think, what in the hell were you doing there? At any given moment, their lives could have been taken.

Even BC is becoming a lawless province. Corruption, lying, cheating, theft, at every turn. Recall canvasses are being stalked. They have been screamed at. many, many of you bloggers, have been threatened several times over. One blogger was physically attacked, even though her children were by her side. The RCMP have established themselves as, pro Campbell. The judicial system is corrupt as well. Bloggers, recall canvassers, should never go anywhere alone, make sure you have someone to watch your backs. When these attacks, involve children, that is about as low as they can go. A bloggers family was also threatened. The truth is not wanted, right here at home.

"Even BC is becoming a lawless province. Corruption, lying, cheating, theft, at every turn. Recall canvasses are being stalked. They have been screamed at. many, many of you bloggers, have been threatened several times over. One blogger was physically attacked, even though her children were by her side. The RCMP have established themselves as, pro Campbell. The judicial system is corrupt as well. Bloggers, recall canvassers, should never go anywhere alone, make sure you have someone to watch your backs. When these attacks, involve children, that is about as low as they can go. A bloggers family was also threatened. The truth is not wanted, right here at home."

First notice where these journalists were killed off, they were certainly not in any major economic country such as the United States, Canada, Australia, or Western Europe.

To think BC is becoming a lawless province is B.S.

Remember the NDP when they were in power? The Emergency Measures Act (Dave Barrett)? The Commonwealth Holding Society (Harcourt), Fudgit Budgets, the Fastcats? What about the BC Liberals? Ripped up contracts and BC Rail. The federal Liberals (Adscam), Conservatives (Airbus)?? Not to mention VanderZalm (Property Transfer Tax and his imposition of personal beliefs)? and yes even Bill Bennett had a few here and there. Every govermment does.

Think too many people are getting paranoid. If anyone thinks the BC Conservatives or Delaney is the answer, they are nuts. Deleany squaks about boycotting Elections BC yet goes ahead with his supporters to try again on recall.

If recall fails in Oak Bay, don't blame anyone except the recall people. They simply didn't do the work well enough.

and things are going to be comfy cozy and every one is happy after the NDP wins the next election?

Guess again. The only thing that will happen in that equation is that the NDP will win the next election, but the same bloggers and a few others will complain and whine all over again.

Never ends.

and let's not forget the time when some idiots trashed the Cabinet Offices a few years ago. That kind of nonsense and the trashing of anyone's office (journalist or otherwise) should never ever be tolerated.

If the recall fails..That will be because of, Campbell and the BC Liberals dirty, delay tactics. Death threats, physical attacks and stalking, sound lawless to me. Anon 10:10. Saying the Recall people, haven't done a good enough job means, your mouth is big enough, to get both of your feet in it. People like you, are the first ones to bitch, and the last ones, to get off your asses. Those people, are out there in the cold, when it is peeing down rain, snowing, being stalked and threatened. Put up a post explaining how, you could do a much better job of it. The reader's and the recall people, I am sure, will be interested.

AGT is reporting that the clean up crew will be in court TODAY trying to sweep the Basi/Virk evidence away.

n yet another extraordinary turn of events, the Crown is going back into court TODAY to demand the return of disclosure documents from the defence team of Messers Basi, Basi and Virk.

Instead of a date for arguments being determined tomorrow, I have obtained exclusive information that all concerned aprties are going back into court TODAY at 2pm, where a date will be set for the prosecution to plead their case and demand the return of documents.

"If the recall fails..That will be because of, Campbell and the BC Liberals dirty, delay tactics."

No it won't. It will because of the fact the recall campaigns didn't work hard enough to collect the number of votes needed. If it can be done province wide, it can be done easily in a riding.

There hasn't been any delay tacts on part of Campbell.

"Death threats, physical attacks and stalking, sound lawless to me. Anon 10:10. Saying the Recall people, haven't done a good enough job means, your mouth is big enough, to get both of your feet in it. People like you, are the first ones to bitch, and the last ones, to get off your asses.

Au contraire, mon ami. I worked a few campaigns myself, it takes a lot of work. Try it.

"Those people, are out there in the cold, when it is peeing down rain, snowing, being stalked and threatened. Put up a post explaining how, you could do a much better job of it. "

I've been out in the cold rain, snow, hot weather, wind, everything. The only way to do is is to go door to door and have the people to do it. Easy, not queasy.

"The reader's and the recall people, I am sure, will be interested."

More people knocking on doors, andensuring a good organized effort. Not political science.

Get out there. You'll need at least 340 new signatures per day for the next 3 weeks.

And, talk about dirty tactics. The court date of the Crown filing for all of the BCR documents possessed by the defense, was sneakily moved up to 2:00 P.M. today, instead of tomorrow, Jan. 11. We all know, Campbell's most used quote, shred, shred, shred. You would think, Campbell is deathly afraid of prison, or something? Do you think?

Give it up, Anon 12:55. Your last post, is as dumb as your first post. Who invited you here anyway. People like you, need to put up your own web page, especially a shit disturber like you. Most of them do. I can fully understand, why you are no longer a campaigner. You probably put both feet in your mouth, at the same time. I knew it!!!!

"Remember the NDP when they were in power? The Emergency Measures Act (Dave Barrett)? The Commonwealth Holding Society (Harcourt), Fudgit Budgets, the Fastcats? What about the BC Liberals? Ripped up contracts and BC Rail. The federal Liberals (Adscam), Conservatives (Airbus)?? Not to mention VanderZalm (Property Transfer Tax and his imposition of personal beliefs)? and yes even Bill Bennett had a few here and there. Every govermment does."

Don't you guys ever get tired of repeating the same old, same old with the fast cats and the alleged fudgit budget? You forgot about the deck in East Vancouver. These petty glitches pale beside the scams involving BC Rail, BC Ferries, improper "oh so" Special Prosecutors, BC Hydro and the Rape of the Rivers and the illegal Fish Farms and the questionable road and bridge scams and shadow tolls. The current guys are into us for much more than the 50 Billlion they own up to and our grandchildren will be paying for their crime spree.

By the way are you certain you haven't confused Dave Barrett with Pierre Trudeau and the War Measures Act? It is a fact though that the government of BC was under attack during Barrett's term by the multi-national corporations and Wall Street. They were very chagrined at the thought of losing their place at the trough.

Bill Tieleman and Senator Larry Campbell, former Vancouver mayor

Jim Sinclair, Cindy Oliver, Ken Georgetti and Bill Tieleman

Bill Tieleman's coverage of the Basi-Virk/BC Legislature Raid Case praised by other journalists:

"This outstanding piece of journalism, in The Tyee, is the work of a journalist who has been deeply involved with this issue from the start and this article should be passed on as far and wide as possible."

"Bill Tieleman from 24 hours . . . . If you want to know about this trial and about this case, you have to read his blog – I mean, that’s just all there is to it – it’s required reading if you want to understand the BC Legislature Raid situation."

- Mike Smyth, columnist, The Province

"The Basi-Virk case....you’ve probably sat through more of these hearings and gone through more of the files and written about it than any other journalist in the province."

- Bill Good, host, The Bill Good Show, CKNW/Corus Radio Network

"Tieleman ...has done a first-rate job covering the trial."

- Paul Willcocks, columnist, the Victoria Times-Colonist

"Tieleman, who marries a considerable journalistic talent with one of the smartest political minds in the province, has been writing more web-exclusive material. And his coverage of the Basi-Virk trial is a must-read -- whether you're an insider or an outsider."

"24 Hours, the Vancouver paper that has been leading the coverage, as well as the hints of conspiracy in B.C."

- Norman Spector, columnist, Globe and Mail

"Although the major media in this circumstance has been giving the case significant coverage, Tieleman's reports on his blog have been outstanding.

The entire cut and thrust of legal wrangling and arguments has been covered and is accompanied by considered analysis.....His blog site coverage of the Basi-Virk trial is the most in depth treatment of one of British Columbia's biggest political scandals."

- Bill Bell, columnist, The North Shore News

"Mr. Tieleman has published online dispatches which, freed from the limitations of newsprint space or broadcast time, can run at length. They also remain available for those select readers who become obsessed with a case also known as Railgate.....

In another bizarre twist to a story with no shortage of them, Mr. Tieleman went to work one day in December only to discover his office had been ransacked. Bookcases had been tipped over and papers strewn, but nothing was missing.

To top it off, a press kit for the self-published novel The Raid, written by a retired military officer in Metchosin and featuring on its cover a photograph from the 2003 police raid, had been left in a conspicuous place."

- Tom Hawthorn, columnist, The Globe and Mail

Nobody has followed the Basi-Virk affair over its past five years with greater diligence than local journalist, Bill Tieleman....Tieleman deserves our thanks, a fistful of journalism awards and some merit citation for citizenship.